Trump suspends security clearances for lawyers who aided Jack Smith – Washington Examiner
In a recent memo, President Donald Trump has directed his administration to suspend security clearances for lawyers from covington & Burling, teh law firm that provided support to Jack smith, the former special counsel investigating Trump. Smith led inquiries into classified documents and the january 6 events and had previously shared that he received $140,000 in pro bono legal assistance from the firm while preparing for potential legal actions. The memo not only calls for a review of security clearances for firm employees but also instructs a review of all contracts the firm has with government agencies. Trump characterized this action as a response to “deranged” investigations against him, while Covington & Burling reaffirmed its commitment to represent clients amid ongoing scrutiny. The revocation of security clearances means affected individuals will lose access to classified information and government facilities, which is essential for many federal roles.
Trump suspends security clearances for lawyers who aided Jack Smith
In a Tuesday memo, President Donald Trump directed his administration to suspend security clearances assigned to employees at the law firm that assisted former special counsel Jack Smith.
Smith stepped down from his position as a special counsel with the Department of Justice days before Trump took office. He led the DOJ’s classified documents and January 6 cases against Trump. The firm cited in Trump’s memo, Covington & Burling, provided pro bono services to Smith.
Shortly before resigning, Smith shared in a disclosure form with the DOJ that he had received $140,000 worth of free legal advice from the firm to help him prepare for investigations and legal action by Trump’s allies.
“As a result of those actions, we’re now going to be suspending and putting under review security clearances for employees at that firm and holding people responsible,” White House staff secretary Will Scharf said in the Oval Office earlier on Tuesday.
The memo also orders the Office of Management and Budget to evaluate all contracts with the law firm.
“I also direct the Attorney General and heads of agencies to take such actions as are necessary to terminate any engagement of Covington & Burling LLP by any agency to the maximum extent permitted by law and consistent with the memorandum that shall be issued by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget,” the directive says.
Before sending out the memo, Trump quipped that they would call it the “deranged Jack Smith signing.” When he was asked whether he was targeting the law firm, Trump said: “I was targeted. … Don’t talk to me about targeting.”
The firm said it would protect Smith amid the Trump administration’s scrutiny of the entities surrounding him.
“For more than 100 years, Covington has represented clients facing government investigations, consistent with the best traditions of the legal profession,” a statement from Covington & Burling said. “We recently agreed to represent Jack Smith when it became apparent that he would become a subject of a government investigation. Covington serves as defense counsel to Jack Smith in his personal, individual capacity.”
TRACKING WHAT DOGE IS DOING ACROSS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Whoever’s security clearance was revoked will no longer be able to access classified information or enter federal facilities.
A security clearance is awarded after a background investigation by the government and is required for many government jobs.
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